Pirates chase third straight win

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Mar 04, 2019. 15:00

Orlando Pirates will chase a third straight win in the Absa Premiership when they host Bloemfontein Celtic at Orlando Stadium on 5 March 2019, kick-off at 19h30.

Pirates claimed a second victory on the bounce when they defeated Golden Arrows 1-0 in Claremont on March 2, with Justin Shonga scoring a fine goal to secure the three points.

The Buccaneers have claimed 17 points from 10 home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 4-1 victory over AmaZulu on February 23.

Celtic have gone three league matches without a win, though their last result was a respectable 0-0 draw away to title-chasing Mamelodi Sundowns on March 2.

Phunya Sele Sele have claimed 15 points from 11 away matches this season. Their last win on the road was at Chippa United just after the festive-season break.

In head-to-head stats, Celtic and Pirates have met in 61 league matches since 1985. The Buccaneers have claimed 31 wins compared to 15 for Phunya Sele Sele, while 15 matches have been drawn. The Soweto side has claimed 20 wins from 30 home matches in the rivalry, suffering just four defeats in the process.

When the teams met earlier this season, at the Free State Stadium in August 2018, Celtic claimed a 1-0 home win thanks to an early goal from Bongani Sam. The teams’ last four league meetings have produced just five goals.

Pirates’ line-up from their 1-0 win over Arrows on March 2: Sandilands, Jele, Ndengane, Maela, Lorch, Nyatama, Motshwari (Mabaso 46’), Memela (Mlambo 62’), Mahachi (Mulenga 85’), Shonga, Pule.

Celtic’s line-up from their 0-0 draw with Sundowns on March 2: Tignyemb, Tani, Rikhotso, Letlabika (Mahashe 45+2’), Pfumbidzai, Kobedi (Dlamini 55’), Baloyi, Potsane, Mashikinya, Letsoalo (Maema 64’), Mabaso.